Legislative Update: What the 2026 Election Results Mean for CPAs

By FICPA Governmental Affairs

On Tuesday, Florida voters took to the polls to participate in the 2026 midterms, electing a new governor, a new Cabinet and deciding on the future of property tax in the Sunshine State.

Out of 13.7 million registered voters, a total of 8.3 million Floridians cast their ballots on Election Day.

Despite national trends and midterm headwinds for the party in power, Florida Republicans maintained control of the governor’s office and all three Cabinet offices, although by smaller margins than anticipated. In legislative races, Democrats exceeded expectations in the State House and State Senate, breaking the Republican supermajorities. Republicans will retain control of both the Florida House and Senate.

For Florida CPAs, the results bring opportunities to build new relationships, educate incoming legislators, strengthen ties with returning legislators and build bipartisan support for policies affecting the profession.

The FICPA looks forward to strengthening relationships with the officials and agency leaders whose decisions affect CPA licensure, regulation and Florida’s business environment.

General Election Results

Governor and Cabinet

Office	Winner
Governor and Lieutenant Governor	Byron Donalds (R) and Bryan Avila (R)
Attorney General	James Uthmeier (R)
Chief Financial Officer	Blaise Ingoglia (R)
Commissioner of Agriculture	Wilton Simpson (R-Incumbent)

Florida Legislature
While Republicans retained both legislative chambers and will continue to control legislative leadership and the legislative agenda, Democratic gains narrowed the majorities.

Florida Senate

Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd (R)
25 Republicans, 13 Democrats, 1 Independent, 1 Vacancy

In the Florida Senate, Democrats flipped SD 10, where John Lowndes defeated incumbent Jason Brodeur.

Florida House

Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison (R)
70 Republicans, 50 Democrats

In the Florida House, Democrats flipped 17 Republican-held seats, while Republicans flipped one seat, HD 87.

*Note: All results remain unofficial until certified by the Department of State.

Amendment 3: Property Tax Changes Move to Implementation

Florida voters approved Amendment 3, Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments, exceeding the 60% approval threshold required for a constitutional amendment.

Ballot Choice	Votes Received	Percentage
Yes	4,917,715	61.98%
No	3,016,136	38.02%

The amendment increases the homestead exemption applicable to non-school property taxes for eligible homeowners to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It also reduces the annual assessment growth cap for covered non-homestead property from 10% to 5% and establishes different eligibility provisions for people who become permanent Florida residents beginning in 2027.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has discussed calling a Special Session to address implementation. Whether lawmakers consider implementing legislation in a Special Session before year-end or during the regular Legislative Session, additional legislative work is necessary. FICPA’s Governmental Affairs Team will be closely watching the issue and how it will impact CPAs and the clients they serve.

Organizational Session: Preparing for the Work Ahead

The Florida House and Senate will convene in Tallahassee on Nov. 17 for their organizational session, marking the beginning of the new Legislature’s two-year cycle. Members will be sworn in, and each chamber will formally select its presiding officers and adopt the rules governing its proceedings. The session lays the groundwork for upcoming committee meetings and the 2027 Legislative Session.

For the FICPA, this transition provides an opportunity to engage incoming lawmakers and legislative leaders, begin introducing the profession’s priorities and prepare for work with the committees that will consider issues affecting CPAs. We are excited to build on existing relationships and establish new ones to advance priority legislation, protect the value of the CPA license and ensure the profession has a strong voice as the legislative agenda takes shape.

What Comes Next for the CPA Profession

With the election concluded, the FICPA’s focus shifts from political engagement to advancing the profession’s legislative priorities. Interim Committee Weeks are on the horizon and FICPA will begin working with legislators on the introduction of our priority legislation and will continue protecting the value of the CPA license. As a reminder, FICPA will review all filed bills for any potential impacts to the profession and will update membership on any potential issues or areas of concern.

Legislative updates will be provided every week of Interim Committee Weeks, every Friday during Session and every other Friday during the legislative off season.

Looking for Even More on the Election?

The FICPA Governmental Affairs Team invites all members to join an important Post-Election Special Town Hall on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m.

Join FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell and the Governmental Affairs team for an exclusive, post-election briefing on what the 2026 results mean for CPAs and the profession. We’ll break down the election results, discuss the new lawmakers and leaders who will be taking the reins and provide insight into the key issues that could shape the profession during the upcoming 2027 Legislative Session.

What does it all mean for you and your license? What issues should you be watching? And what can you do to help protect the profession? Tune in for the answers and get the inside scoop directly from the FICPA team working on your behalf.

This event is FREE for FICPA members and offers 1.5 hours of CPE. Register now!

Harrell Discusses Election Results at Jacksonville Infusion

On Thursday morning, Jason Harrell was pleased to meet with our members in Northeast Florida at the FICPA's Jacksonville Infusion. The event brought together CPAs and business professionals for a full day of timely CPE, practical insights and conversations around the issues shaping the profession and Northeast Florida. Harrell took the stage alongside FICPA Chair Amy Kistka to offer an outlook on the State of the Profession and what the results of Tuesday's elections mean for Florida CPAs. The FICPA thanks the members of our Jacksonville Chapter and all our members in Northeast Florida for once again making Infusion a success.

Our annual CPA Day at the Capitol is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2027 – and registration is open!

Last year, we set a record for the largest advocacy event in our history, as more than 150 FICPA representatives took meetings or delivered legislative materials to every single member of the Florida House and Senate, advancing our legislative priorities and protecting the value of the CPA license.

This year, more than 100 members have already signed up, with remaining space filling up.